// freehctext.txt is a text file created by Alan Ashfield 1st January 2016 in English
// Lines beginning // like this are just comments and completely ignored
// Lines beginning # and 3 digit number are the sequence numbers for text items to be translated as needed
// You do not have to do the whole file at one sitting - just translate lines #010 to #019 first, save and see
// how they come out before doing the next batch and so on. You can even leave the English line before the
// foreign language one eg.
// #004 in English
// #004 en Francais
// and then take out the English lines afterwards. Some lines are easy to check by SAVING and then RUNNING FREEHC.EXE
// but other error / warning messages may not come up during normal operation so perhaps are less important to get right.
// Use "NotePad" or similar to make such changes not "WordPad" or other word processor.
// Don't forget to keep back up copies as you make changes and if you want to start again, just delete it and rerun program.
// If you do not agree with some of my text (ie. want to call 'Most Remote' the 'Most Unfavourable'), then just rewrite those line(s).
// When complete, you can keep it just for yourself, Email it to other sprinkler contractors, designers or installers
// in your country (perhaps in return for a small fee) or Email to me at alanash@freehc.net and I will put it up on
// my website for others in your country to download for free with due credit to you, of course.
// If nobody translates this file, it will stay in English.
// 14th March 2017 extra option in DRY line 114 for part wet/dry syems
#001 FreeHC program [January 2016] //program name
#002 By Alan Ashfield //programmers name
#003 [alanash@freehc.net] //my Email address
#004 IN ENGLISH //language name
#005 Options //file options name
#006 Pipe data //pipe data name
#007 Information //summary box name
// File options menu
#010 Choose from NEW, OPEN, SAVE AS, 4 DEMO JOBS or EXIT //hint
#011 File options ...
#012 NEW project
#013 OPEN an existing job ...
#014 SAVE AS another name
#015 Simple DEMO 1 of 4
#016 Looped sprinkler system
#017 Gridded sprinkler system
#018 Birdcage system example 4
#019 EXIT program
// Job options menu
#020 Choose project, head data or database to view/amend //hint
#021 Job options ...
#022 Project data / design parameters
#023 Head / nozzle / hydrants types
#024 Database of pipe types etc.
// Calculate menu
#030 Choose which calculations to carry out //hint
#031 Calculation options ...
#032 All heads / nozzles
#033 Most Remote Design Area
#034 Most Favourable Design Area
#035 Create .DXF files for CAD
#036 Create .CSV results file
// Drawing view menu
#040 Choose viewing direction - plans, elevations or isometrics - "double-click" on plan / isometrics where required to zoom in and again to zoom out //hint
#041 Plan
#042 Front Elevation
#043 Rear Elevation
#044 Left Elevation
#045 Right Elevation
#046 Isometric Top Right
#047 Isometric Bottom Right
#048 Isometric Bottom Left
#049 Isometric Top Left
// Labels menu
#050 Choose what labels to show next to pipes/heads on current drawing view //hint
#051 No labels shown
#052 Pipe numbers
#053 Node numbers
#054 Pipe types
#055 Pipe sizes mm
#056 Pipe bores mm
#057 Lengths m
#058 Directions
#059 Slopes
#060 Vertical changes
#061 Fittings
#062 Extra KLMB values
#063 Total eg. lengths
#064 Heights in m
#065 Head/nozzle refs
#066 Head/nozzle type
#067 Head areas sq.m
#068 Flows L/min
#069 Pressures bars
#070 Pressure drops
#071 mbars/metre
#072 Velocities m/s
#073 Vel.Pressures
#074 Head densities
#075 Reynolds nos
// Pipe actions menu
#080 Choose from ADD, BREAK, COPY, DELETE or EDIT //hint for messages see #370
#081 Select pipe action ...
#082 Add another pipe
#083 Break a pipe into two
#084 Copy group of pipes
#085 Delete one or more pipes
#086 Edit pipe data
// Spin Angle menu
#090 Choose the angle to rotate the pipes selected by COPY //hint
#091 0 degrees
#092 Reverse
// Job data questions + hint text on following line + numbers after !! are min,max,default,num dec places
#101 [Q 1] Name of project
#102 Enter the name or reference of this project eg. Test 1
#103 [Q 2] Number of project
#104 Enter the contract number or other identification for this job eg. 12345
#105 [Q 3] Building owner
#106 Enter the name of the building, client, owner or other person eg. Fred Bloggs
#107 [Q 4] Address or location
#108 Enter the site address or location for reference only eg. 102 Lets Be Avenue
#109 [Q 5] Occupancy details or general information
#110 Enter any details about what the building is to be used for eg. Fireworks
#111 [Q 6] Hazard classification
#112 Enter the details about what fire hazards exist or are being protected eg. Ordinary Group 1
#113 [Q 7] System of protection
#114 Enter the sprinkler, spray, deluge, drencher etc fire protection system that these calculations refer to eg. Wet Sprinkler System , DRY or DRY at pipe # nnn
#115 [Q 8] Goods being protected
#116 Enter the list of items that are being protected eg. Class 1 risk
#117 [Q 9] Area being protected
#118 Enter the name of the building or area that this system covers eg. Area 51
#119 [Q10] Installation number
#120 Enter the reference of the riser or installation control valves eg. 1
#121 [Q11] Drawings ref/nos
#122 Enter the list of other relevant documents being submitted eg. Drawing 123
#123 [Q12] Drawings dates/issues
#124 Enter the list of any other details as needed eg. Dec 2015
#125 [Q13] Approving agency / AHJ
#126 Enter the local authority approving this scheme eg. ABC Company
#127 [Q14] Insurance company
#128 Enter the name of any other parties involved eg. XYZ Company
#129 [Q15] Fire authority
#130 Enter the name of people who will come to put out the fire if this system doesn't eg. FiresRUs
#131 [Q16] Any comments
#132 Enter any other notes you wish to put here eg. Don't know
#133 [Q17] Any limitations
#134 Enter any notes of relevance eg. None
#135 [Q18] Name of designer
#136 Enter your name and department as you wish eg. Alan Ashfield
#137 [Q19] Any other relevant information
#138 Enter any other details that you may wish eg. None
#139 [Q20] Notes about design
#140 Enter any other relevant information as you may desire
#141 [Q21] Installer / designer company name
#142 Enter your name as the person / company doing the calculations - it is never transmitted to anybody
#143 [Q22] Installer address line 1
#144 Enter the first line of your address
#145 [Q23] Installer address line 2
#146 Enter the second line of your address
#147 [Q24] Installer address line 3
#148 Enter the third line of your address
#149 [Q25] Installer address line 4
#150 Enter the fourth line of your address
#151 [Q26] Installer contact details
#152 Enter your telephone / fax / mobile numbers or Email address
#153 [Q27] Database file name
#154 Enter the pipe types, sizes and fittings database that you have created or downloaded from www.freehc.net eg. en12845rules.3hd, nfpa1315rules.3hd or fmrules.3hd
#155 [Q28] Area of operation in square metres !!0 1200 0 2
#156 Type in a number in the range of 0 to 1200 for the total design area being protected in sq.m eg. 260
#157 [Q29] 1 to use Hazen-Williams or 2 for Darcy-Weisbach !!1 2 1 0
#158 Type in 1 or 2 for the required pressure drop formula eg. 1
#159 [Q30] 1 to use velocity pressure or 0 to ignore !!0 1 0 0
#160 Type in 1 to include a velocity pressure calculation at intermediate heads / nozzles along a branch line / range or 0 to ignore eg. 0
#161 [Q31] Static pressure in bars !!0 15 0 2
#162 Leave the next 3 items at 0 if not required or type in a number in the range of 0 to 15 for the pressure at zero flow in bars for the prefixed water supply in bars
#163 [Q32] Residual pressure in bars !!0 15 0 2
#164 If a number entered previously, type in a number (same or lower) for the pressure in bars at a flow rate given in the next question eg. 9.6
#165 [Q33] At this flow rate in L/min !!0 9000 0 0
#166 If numbers entered to the previous two questions, type in a value in the range of 50 to 9000 being the flow rate at the [Q32] pressure eg. 3500
#167 [Q34] Source height in metres !!-20 20 0 2
#168 Normally zero but if the first node point is above or below any given datum, like finished floor level, then type in that number here in the range of -20 to +20 metres eg. 0
#169 [Q35] Start node number !!10 1000 100 0
#170 Type in a number in the range of 10 to 10000 for the first 'node' number for the first pipe away from the source eg. 100
#171 [Q36] Step in node numbers !!-100 100 10 0
#172 Type in a number in the range of -100 to 100 being how you want the 'node' numbers to decrease or increase eg. 10
// NEW OPEN and SAVEAS messages
#190 Which project file to use?
#191 Sorry - the file name given does not exist or is read only!
#192 You cannot save this file into one with the same name - please try again!
#193 This file already exists - do you really want to overwrite it?
#194 If you reply "YES" then all of the previous information in that file will be lost.
#195 If you select "NO", then this operation will be cancelled and you can try another file name.
// Project data form
#201 Questions 1 to 36 //2 headings on spreadsheet
#202 Your replies - press {TAB} after each item or click in any cell ...
#203 Close //button
#204 Return to main drawing //hint on button
#205 Job Data for //caption top of screen
#206 The database file given in [Q27] does not exist! //error message + next
#207 It has been reset to "en12845rules.txt" so you can create another or copy any Rules files here
// Heads nozzles data form - headings across top first
#210 Ref
#211 Size mm
#212 "K" factor
#213 Min sq.m
#214 Max sq.m
#215 Density
#216 Min bars
#217 UP
#218 Name
// Hints for those 8 columns
#219 Type in the orifice size in mm of these heads / nozzles in the range of 0 (for none) to 50 eg. 20
#220 Type in the "K" factor (flow Q L/min divided by the square root of pressure P bars) in the range of 0 (for none) to 5000 (for monitors, hosestreams, hydrants etc whose flows change with pressure)
#221 Type in the minimum area of coverage in sq.m in the range of 0 (for in-rack, deluge etc) to 36.0 eg. 9
#222 Type in the maximum area of coverage in sq.m in the range of the previous column to 48.0 eg. 9. If these 2 columns are the same, the program will not prompt for head area under "Pipe Data"
#223 Type in the required minimum density of coverage in mm/min in the range of 0 (if no areas given) to 99 eg. 12.5
#224 Type in the required minimum operating pressure in bars in the range of 0.35 to 20 eg. 2 for in-rack
#225 Type in U for upright or P for pendent orientation but program will make all heads on drops "P" and "U" when on rises
#226 Type in a 6 character reference to identify this head/nozzle reference in the "Pipe Data" eg. ORDHAZ
#227 Head / nozzle / hydrant types 1 to 9 for //caption top of screen
#228 You have not given any "K" factors so all heads / nozzles are off - you must specify at least one
#229 and press {TAB} after each item or click in any cell ...
// Pipe types, sizes and fittings database - page titles
#230 Internal bores and fitting equivalent lengths
#231 Add another pipe type
#232 Add another pipe size
#233 Design rules
// Headings on page 1 apart from sizes
#234 PT/VT
#235 WET"C"
#236 DRY"C"
#237 Rough
#238 Description
#239 Pipe types, sizes and fittings database stored in //caption top of screen
// Prompt text lines on 'add pipe type' page
#240 You can add another pipe type to the database if you enter an abbreviation [up to 4 chars] and know the Hazen Williams "C" factors and roughness in mm and can provide the actual internal bores in mm for all the current nominal pipe sizes.
#241 Click on "Add this pipe type" when you have answered the 5 questions below. You can use the previous PAGE to amend the details of any of the other pipe types.
// Hint text items across bottom
#242 Bore in mm for
#243 Equivalent length in m for
#244 Hazen-Williams WET "C" factor
#245 Hazen-Williams DRY "C" factor
#246 Roughness in mm
#247 Please leave blank
#248 Description
#249 Press {TAB} to move to right or the arrow keys to move in any direction. Use the scroll bars to view the rest of this grid or make the screen full-size.
// Error messages
#250 The maximum number of pipe types allowed is 50 - you will need to amend one of the previous ones instead.
#251 Sorry - this reference has already been used - please enter another abbreviation!
// Labels for questions on pages 2 3
#252 Reference of this pipe type (eg. SS4)
#253 Hazen-Williams WET and DRY "C" factors
#254 Roughness in mm (eg. 0.045)
#255 Full description of this pipe type
#256 New nominal size in mm required
// Prompt text lines on 'add pipe size' page
#257 You can add another nominal size of pipe to the database [from 4 to 400 mm] but you will need the actual internal bores in mm for all the existing pipe types (if applicable for that type) as well as the equivalent length in m for each of the existing fitting types at a Hazen-William "C" factor of 120 or 150.
#258 Click on "Add a new size" when you have typed in a new nominal size in mm. You can use the first PAGE to amend the details of any of the other pipe sizes or can go there now if you do not want to add another size now.
// Error messages
#259 The maximum number of pipe sizes allowed is 25 - you will need to amend one of the previous ones instead.
#260 Sorry - you already have that pipe size - please enter another nominal size!
// New file name on page 4
#261 Save this data under another name
#262 You can enter another name to save these changes upon "Close" so as not to possibly cause other project files to be incorrect
// Labels for questions on page 4
#264 Enter or amend these various design parameters as required for the rules quoted
#265 Design rules
#266 Conversion of metres to bars (eg. 0.098)
#267 Max velocity through pipes in m/s (eg. 10)
#268 Max velocity through valves [V in ref] (eg. 6)
#269 Number of most remote heads (1 or 4)
#270 Number of design areas (1 or 2)
#271 Pipe type on which equiv lengths table based or 0
#272 Standard HW "C" factor for equiv lengths table 120 or 150
#273 Name of fluid
#274 Specific gravity (eg. 1.00)
#275 Density kg/cu.m (eg. 998.0)
#276 Viscosity centipoise (eg. 0.95)
// Just the same hints for all above
#277 Type in the appropriate data and press {TAB} to continue
// Names of DXF files from Export part
#291 The following DXF files have been created :-
#292 +2D+Sizes+Nodes
#293 +2D+Flows+Pressures
#294 +3D+Sizes+Nodes
#295 These can be read into your CAD program but you may need to "Zoom All", "Zoom Extents", "Zoom Full" or "Sheet 1" before you can see the complete drawing with these entities on the "spipes" layer in blue.
// Zoom widths
#300 Choose height/width of area to view when "double-click" on plan / isometrics to zoom into (then "double-click" again to zoom out)
// Messages on selecting NEW
#301 Please complete the following "Job Data" screen about various items and design parameters on your project with some values already entered.
#302 Leave the first item blank if you do not wish to continue, press {TAB} to move between lines and click on "Close" at the bottom right when done to enter the "Head types" next in the same way.
#303 You will now be asked to give this new job a file name so type in a suitable reference and click on "Save" to proceed ...
#304 You will now see a 100mm pipe of type 1 rising up 3.000m on the underlying drawing just to get you started in the "Edit" mode.
#305 Either change these details given on the "Pipe Details" on the left or click on "Edit pipe data" and choose "Add another pipe",
#306 click on this highlighted pipe and then "Edit" that second pipe and so on to create the complete system. Press [F1] for more help.
#307 Edit the details of this first pipe as required, then choose "ADD" to do the next pipe and so on ...
// Direction list box
#310 Choose pipe direction compass point or "another angle" to type in a set value //hint
#311 North
#312 NE
#313 East
#314 SE
#315 South
#316 SW
#317 West
#318 NW
#319 Up
#320 Down
#321 Another angle
// Nozzle type list box
#322 Choose status of this head / nozzle as to which design area is required //hint
#323 Off
#324 On
#325 MostRem
#326 MostFav
// Hints for other list boxes
#327 Choose pipe type from this list or add another via "Job options ..."
#328 Choose nominal pipe size in mm, normally reducing into terminal end- or centre-fed layouts
#329 Type in length in m from 0.1 to 99.9 horizontal if slope under 45deg or vertical if >45
#330 Type in run angle in degrees from North 0 to 359.9
#331 Type in slope of pipe from 0 (horizontal) to +89.9 rising or -89.9 if falling towards end-node
#332 Choose fitting 1 from this list - usually at start node or within pipe and ignore elbow, tee or reducer supporting head
#333 Choose fitting 2 from this list or None - usually at end node if looped/gridded
#334 Type in value and K for "K" factor of orifice plate, MJC or nearly closed valve, L for constant hosereel/hosestream in L/min , M for extra length for other fittings or if pipe not required to scale or B for constant bars devices
#335 Choose head / nozzle reference at end-node if any
#336 Type in the area of coverage in sq.m for this reference (more than min, less than maximum quoted)
// Other words and lines checking / calculations
#340 None
#341 Pipes
#342 Loops
#343 Heads
#344 Source Duty:
#345 Flow L/min =
#346 Pressure bars =
#347 Highest head m =
#348 Area sq.m =
#349 Area given in Q28 =
#350 Pipe Quantities :-
#351 Pipe Type =
#352 Previous calculation for
#353 This data added to file
#354 Density mm/min =
#355 Volume
// Warning messages from check
#360 green pipes are fed from smaller sized pipes - usually not permitted in terminal layouts.
#361 brown pipes were doubled back on the previous pipe due to incorrect directions - ends have been moved 0.5m in X Y Z so you can edit them.
#362 purple pipes were an invalid size so made the minimum - perhaps pipe types database has been changed.
#363 mauve pipes have fitting equivalent lengths of zero.
#364 light blue pipes were overlapping previous ones so have been moved 0.5m in X,Y and Z to make them easier for you to delete - perhaps wrong "COPY" pipes chosen'.
// Messages from pipe actions
#370 Select pipe action - add, break, copy, delete or edit + "double-click" to zoom in/out [Press F1 for help] ...
#371 Click near centre of the pipe where you want to ADD another one at that end ...
#372 Click near centre of the pipe where you want to INSERT an extra pipe for another connection ...
#373 Click near the centre of the first pipe that you want to COPY all the ones it supplies to another position using the spin angle quoted ...
#374 Click near the centre of the first pipe that you want to DELETE with all the pipes it supplies ...
#375 Click near the centre of the pipe (where the length is) that you want to EDIT the details - to amend another, just reselect it on the drawing ...
#376 Leave or change the "Pipe data" about this ADDED pipe now highlighted in blue ...
#377 Now click near the centre of the same or another pipe to COPY these orange pipes to and spin them by
#378 Please confirm that you want to DELETE all these pipes shown in YELLOW ...
#379 Do you really want to delete the pipe(s) shown in YELLOW on the underlying drawing?
#380 Click on "Yes" to erase these YELLOW pipes or click on "No" to leave them unchanged.
#381 Leave or change the details about the pipe now highlighted in blue or click on another pipe to EDIT that one ...
// Warning messages from Calculations options and checks
#390 pipes have velocities over maximum m/s specified as
#391 pipes have velocities over maximum m/s specified for valves as
#392 heads/nozzles are under their specified minimum pressures - lowest bars =
#393 pipes have zero flow - do not supply any operating heads / nozzles or equal pressure both ends in looped/gridded systems
#394 Node numbers of 4 remotest heads =
#395 The area between any group of 4 heads around the most remotest head is greater than the individual areas given for those heads.
#396 Perhaps these areas are wrong or you have some incorrect lengths / directions for the matching pipes or there are not 3 other heads around node
#397 Area between heads and average head area over 4 remotest heads =
// Titles of 48 columns on CSV option - last char is number of decimal points
#400 Comma Separated Variables Results List for
#401 Pipe0
#402 Start0
#403 End 0
#404 Fedfrom0
#405 Type0
#406 HW"C"0
#407 Roughmm4
#408 Size0
#409 Boremm2
#410 Lengthm3
#411 Direction1
#412 Slope1
#413 Actualm3
#414 Xstart m3
#415 Xend m3
#416 Ystart m3
#417 Yend m3
#418 Zstart m3
#419 Zend m3
#420 Fitting 10
#421 Fitting 20
#422 AddedK2
#423 AddedL2
#424 AddedM2
#425 AddedB2
#426 TotalEqm3
#427 Height m3
#428 Flow L/min2
#429 Velocity2
#430 VelPress4
#431 ReyNum 0
#432 mbar/m 2
#433 Start bar4
#434 Friction 4
#435 Static 4
#436 End bar4
#437 HeadNum0
#438 Ref1-90
#439 Status 0
#440 Size1
#441 "K"factor2
#442 Areasqm3
#443 FlowL/min2
#444 Density2
#445 Min. bars4
#446 Normalbar4
#447 Vel Press4
#448 Total bar4
// End of freehctext.txt file
// You will also need to translate the help file that follows if required but leave everything inside < and > as they are the HTML mark ups
// Do not amend line 500 or add any #xxx or // lines after it - Thank you
#500 freehchelp.htm

Help text for FREEHC.EXE by Alan Ashfield

User Interface :-

All the functions of FREEHC are arranged down the left hand side of the screen with
the drawing filling the rest. The 'Options' list includes "File options ...", "Job options ...",
"Calculation options ...", drawing views, labels list and "Select pipe actions" all as described later.
When you are adding or editing the pipe information, the 'Pipe Data' part shows the type, size, length
etc. and during the checking / calculations the 'Information' box lists some essential parameters.
The various Windows components are :-

Buttons (such as 'Close') which you click on to carry out that operation - depending
on which "Windows" you have, they will be in a different colour and/or border.

List-boxes look like buttons but have a 'v' to the right (such as the options, type, size etc) - just
click the mouse over the text to see the full list, slide your mouse up or down to
move the highlighted line to the option you want and then click again to select it.

Edit-boxes where you need to type in a length or slope using the number keys
(not A-Z or a-z) and . or , for a decimal point but there is usually no need to fill in
the complete value, so 3.5 will be shown as 3.500 as soon as you press the {tab} key to
move on the next part.

Spreadsheets are just an array of rows and columns of 'edit boxes' each containing one number
or text item - move away from the one highlighted with the {tab} or {arrow} keys or click the
mouse to jump to another item. If the whole spreadsheet cannot fit on the screen, it may have
scroll bars to move the part being shown horizontally or vertically. Just hold your
mouse over the blue bar in the centre and slide it left, right, up or down as needed. Likewise,
there may be several pages at the top with headings in a bold font, which you can
click on to see that block of information.

Prompts will be given in grey across the top of the drawing to describe what you can do next or
any useful information, especially during Add, Break, Copy, Delete and Edit pipe actions.

Labels will change according to what you are adding / editing eg. if you are typing in a pipe length
then the lengths of all the other adjacent pipes will also be confirmed.

Most of above The cursor may change from the default 'arrow' to indicate the type of control and
if you hover your mouse over any of these functions, a short 'hint' will describe it in more detail. Note
that all of the above can be translated into your own language by amending the FREEHCTEXT.TXT file.

Pipe data (visible only for 'Add' or 'Edit') :-

Type

Select the appropriate type of pipe from the list shown as they can be all
the same or different in various parts of the network as required. A hint describes it in
more detail if you hover your mouse here. If a specific pipe type is not shown, then you can
add it with the 'Database' line under "Job Options".

Size

Select the nominal size of pipe for this section, normally reducing as you
move away from the water source so one does not usually have a section supplied from one of a
smaller size except where the system is looped. If a specific size is not shown, then
you can add it with the 'Database' option but you will need the bores for this, and
the other pipe types as well as the equivalent lengths for the various fittings.

Length

Type in the centre-to-centre length between fittings, either horizontal
for pipe slopes under 45 degrees or vertical for pipe slopes over 45 deg, ie. the total
change in elevation. Press the {tab}
key when done and you don't have to enter the full number of decimal points so 3 will be
shown as 3.000 and different pipe sections are required between nozzles or junctions (elbows
and tees) of different directions, pipe types or sizes.

Direction

Select the run of this pipe from start (nearest the supply) to end (feeding
another pipe or a head / nozzle) as North, North-East, East, South-East, South, South-West, West,
North-West, Up, Down or another based upon the length entered. If not at 90 or 45 degree
compass points, then select the last option, whereupon the next question will be prompted.
If you get the direction the opposite way round to the previous pipe (so it doubles back
on itself eg. 'Down' after 'Up' or 'East' after 'West'), then the program will detect
this, move the pipe end by 0.5m in X,Y and Z and show it in a different colour, so that
you can click on that (or the previous) one to correct the problem.

Run angle

If one of the above directions is not applicable, you can type in the exact
angle as a compass direction from 0 = North, eg. 30 or 305 degrees.

Slope in degrees

This is not asked for Up or Down pipes but only for directions of
horizontal or near vertical pipes and is typed in as a positive number (eg. 6) where the
pipe slopes upwards from start to end (end is higher than start) or a negative number
(eg. -7.4) where the pipe slopes downwards from start to end (below the start). Leave
blank or enter 0 if pipe is run flat (no slope) with the length / direction given and press
{tab} when done. In all cases, the program will calculate the 'actual' pipe length, up
or down the slope for the pressure drop calculation eg. a pipe 3m in plan up a 5 degree
slope is really 3.011 m long.

Fitting 1

Select the appropriate fitting usually at the start of this pipe section,
either 'None' if straight through tee along a range / branch line or as the
elbows, tees etc. Again my examples show what is required, especially
that you always ignore the fitting on which any head / nozzle is mounted.

Fitting 2

Where there is more than one fitting in this pipe section (where it
connects into another pipe forming a loop) or several control valves, you can select this
second fitting here or leave it as 'None'.

Add KLMB

For special components in this pipe section which you will possibly never use. If
there is a fitting where you cannot specify an equivalent length, enter the "K" factor (flow L/min
divided by pressure drop in bars all squared) and K, eg. 500.00K, and this can also be
applicable for orifice plates (if permitted) or partially closed valves to shut down a looped
main.

If you wish to specify a hosesteam or hosereel allowance as a constant flow rate, then
type in the L/min flow and L, eg. 120.00L, for the program to add this to the flows in all
the pipes from this one back to the source.

If you have a really long length of pipe, say 100m,
on this job then if you enter it as the full length, it will considerably distort the drawing making
it difficult to view pipes of 3m or less, so you should put the "Length" of the pipe (as above) as,
say 10.000 m, and type in the difference to be added here eg. 90.00M and this option can also be
employed to include special fittings or valves with a known equivalent length rather than amending
the database just for this one occasion.

The last option B stands for bars and permits you to
add a special fitting or valve as a constant pressure drop eg. 0.50B. The default is 0.00M which
doesn't do anything.

Head reference

Leave as 'None' if there is no head / nozzle at the end of this pipe or choose one of the 9
references given for this project (the size, "K" factor, minimum and maximum areas, density, minimum
pressure, U or P and a short description). There is only room here to show the number 1 to 9
and the description.

Head status

There will be 2 or 4 choices here depending on the design rules chosen so select from "Off" (just
for possible operation), "On" (for the one design area), "MostRem" or "MostFav" for the
most remote or most favourable design area for EN12845 and similar sprinkler rules.

Head area

This will only be prompted if the minimum and maximum areas of operation for this head reference
are different (as otherwise it can only be that value) so you should type in the area of coverage
in square metres for this particular head / nozzle and press {tab} when done when the right
number of decimal places will be shown - you don't type the m2 item.

Note

As you move between these items with {tab} or click on specific items with your
mouse, the labels change to the corresponding value on the drawing (full size or zoomed in
plan, elevation or isometric). A little square will be shown where the end of any pipe
section meets a previously specified pipe to form a "loop" and FREEHC will adjust
the calculations routine accordingly.

Pipe Actions - Add, Break, Copy, Delete or Edit :-

The first is Select pipe action ... which will show a "arrow" cursor on the drawing that does
not have any effect so as not to inadvertently change anything and is returned to after
most other program operations for this reason. To carry out the remaining 5 operations, select ...

Add another pipe

This option will add an additional pipe to the current drawing
- just click the 'arrow with a square' cursor at or near the centre of the pipe (where the
direction is) that you wish to connect to (the one that feeds it) and all the type, size, length
etc. details will be copied to the new pipe highlighted in blue. These 'pipe data' list- and
edit-boxes can now be selected, in turn, to revise them as needed, ie. different length,
direction or size, which will be instantly shown on the drawing. There are no "OK" or
"Cancel" buttons to click on before you can see this new pipe and this arrangement also does not
obscure the drawing showing the very pipe you are adding/changing.

If you have added a pipe
in the wrong place, then simply select 'Delete' to remove it and carry on
in the right place, otherwise you will remain in 'Add' so can just click on the next
pipe where another pipe is required. Pipes not yet feeding any heads / nozzles
are shown in blue but will change to black as soon as one or more heads / nozzles
are drawn - this is just to highlight them as there will be no flow in them when
you calculate the source flow / pressure.

Break a pipe in two

This is necessary if you want to insert another pipe
at a location where there is no elbow / tee to connect to. Just follow the 'prompt'
at the top of the drawing and click the 'two vertical lines' cursor at or near the centre of
the appropriate pipe that you want to split into two (where the pipe numbers are
shown) and the drawing will show this new pipe.

Copy group of pipes

This is most useful in duplicating one or more pipes already created to another part of the
network. Again just follow the 'prompt' at the top of the drawing to click the
'cross' cursor at or near the centre of the size label of the first
pipe of the group to be copied which it, and all the ones it supplies will then be shown
in orange.

Now move your mouse cursor (an 'arrow' with some little squares under it) to the
same or another pipe centre where these coloured pipes are to be copied to - as soon as you
click the mouse, the drawing will change to show the existing and additional pipes / heads.

If you need to copy pipes but change their directions and/or slopes by a set angle
(eg. 0 will do nothing but 90 will amend North facing pipes to East, eastwards ones to
South etc) then just make sure the correct angle is selected in the 'Spin angle'
list-box before the actual copying takes place. The last item is called "reverse" which will
add 180 degrees to the pipe directions (so North becomes South, East becomes West etc) and
change any positive pipe slopes to negative (so +6 will become -6) or already negative
pipe slopes to positive (so -7 becomes +7) which may be useful in some pipe arrangements.

When the copying is done, you will return to the 'Select pipe actions ...' option but if you have added some pipes
in the wrong place, then simply select 'Delete' to remove them and try again. I also create
a LastJobBeforeCopy backup file just in case the wrong copy pipes or angles are chosen.

Delete some pipes

This will remove one or more pipes from the current drawing
if no longer required or superfluous ones resulting from incorrect copying - just click the
'no entry' cursor at or near the centre of the pipe number of the pipe closest to the water
supply that you want to erase (and all the others it supplies). The drawing will show these
pipes in yellow with a pop-up message asking for confirmation that you really want to delete
those pipes (click on "Yes") or they are to left unchanged (click on "No") and
you will return to the 'Select pipe actions ...' option.

Edit pipe data

Use this option to revise any of the various pipe
data items described above - just follow the grey prompt to click the 'arrow with a ?'
cursor at or near the pipe length label of the pipe to highlight it with the length selected
in the same colour. Click on the list-boxes of other items to instantly change them for that
same, highlighted pipe, again noting that the labels next to all the pipes on the drawing
change to suit.

You can then click on another pipe to view or revise the same or
other information on that new pipe, without any further prompting or interruption.

Notes

Throughout all the above five options, you always have to
click the centre of the pipe in question and not sometimes the end, start or
centre as previously.
You can change the selection of option at any time (after clicking 'Add'
you can change your mind and choose 'Edit' instead) and can likewise change
the drawing view, zoom in or out or different labels or other options along the top or left
hand sides of the FREEHC screen before, during or after a specific operation as
you choose.

The best way to learn how to use these 6 options, is to play with my 4 Demonstration
examples as it doesn't matter if things go wrong as they are reset to my
data every time you click on them.

You can also use "NotePad" or similar text editor to amend the job data file ending in .3HC
if you prefer to make some changes, deletions or copying this way - you can also get
a printout of it, if needs be and don't forget to keep backup copies on another PC
or USB key in case your computer ever stops working.